Uzodima Franklin (Frank) Aba-Onu...2019/06/06  · Minnesota Implied Consent Law, the Minnesota...

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Reprinted with permission of Minnesota Lawyer © 2019 Uzodima Franklin (Frank) Aba-Onu BASSFORD REMELE P.A. A native of Nigeria, Frank Aba-Onu had a distinguished ca- reer in progress before he even joined Bassford Remele four years ago. “It was inspiring to think about working in a country that had a system of checks and balances,” he recalled. “I thought there was something I could do to be a part of that.” A graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indi- ana, Aba-Onu graduated cum laude from the University of St. omas School of Law. While there he participated in a wide variety of boards and associations, as well as serving as a certified student attorney for the Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services. In that role, he worked with community and program leaders for collaboration on issues facing persons of color regarding the methods used, mainte- nance, and procedures followed by law enforcement agencies’ use of the Minnesota gang databases. Aſter working in private practice for two years, Aba-Onu worked as an assistant attorney general before moving on to Bassford. His practice now focuses on employment, professional lia- bility and general liability matters. Aba-Onu advises and rep- resents employers in such areas as discrimination and harass- ment complaints, noncompetes and restrictive covenants, and wage and hour claims. He also represents professionals in mal- practice and negligence actions, as well as defending personal injury and premise liability claims. “Bassford has an open policy that encourages attorneys to try different areas of the law to see what they like,” Aba-Onu said. “I’ve really tried to make the most of that.” —Dan Heilman

Transcript of Uzodima Franklin (Frank) Aba-Onu...2019/06/06  · Minnesota Implied Consent Law, the Minnesota...

Page 1: Uzodima Franklin (Frank) Aba-Onu...2019/06/06  · Minnesota Implied Consent Law, the Minnesota Private Detective Board, mental health, licensing, and health and child care. In addition,

Reprinted with permission of Minnesota Lawyer © 2019

8 | Finance & Commerce www.finance-commerce.com

Up & Coming Attorneys

Uzodima Franklin (Frank) Aba-Onu BASSFORD REMELE P.A.

A native of Nigeria, Frank Aba-Onu had a distinguished ca-reer in progress before he even joined Bassford Remele four years ago.

“It was inspiring to think about working in a country that had a system of checks and balances,” he recalled. “I thought there was something I could do to be a part of that.”

A graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indi-ana, Aba-Onu graduated cum laude from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. While there he participated in a wide variety of boards and associations, as well as serving as a certified student attorney for the Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services. In that role, he worked with community and program leaders for collaboration on issues facing persons of color regarding the methods used, mainte-nance, and procedures followed by law enforcement agencies’

use of the Minnesota gang databases. After working in private practice for two years, Aba-Onu

worked as an assistant attorney general before moving on to Bassford.

His practice now focuses on employment, professional lia-bility and general liability matters. Aba-Onu advises and rep-resents employers in such areas as discrimination and harass-ment complaints, noncompetes and restrictive covenants, and wage and hour claims. He also represents professionals in mal-practice and negligence actions, as well as defending personal injury and premise liability claims.

“Bassford has an open policy that encourages attorneys to try different areas of the law to see what they like,” Aba-Onu said. “I’ve really tried to make the most of that.”

—Dan Heilman

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KELLY A. PUTNEY SHAREHOLDER Licensed in MN and WI

T 612.376.1605 F 612.746.1205

[email protected]

June 6, 2019 Bill Gaier President and Publisher Minnesota Lawyer 222 South Ninth Street, Suite 900 Minneapolis, MN 55402 Re: Up-and-Coming Attorney Nomination – Uzodima Franklin Aba-Onu Dear Bill:

Nominee(s) Name*

Uzodima Franklin Aba-Onu

Nominee(s) Title*

Shareholder

Company Name*

Bassford Remele, P.A.

Company Address*

100 South Fifth Street, Suite 1500, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Nominee(s) Email Address*

[email protected]

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Bill Gaier June 6, 2019 Page 2

Nominee(s) Phone Number*

612.376.1608

What year did the nominee start practicing law?

2010

Reason for Nomination (please be specific)* Please be thorough in your response. 2-6 paragraphs

Uzodima Franklin Aba-Onu (“Frank”) joined Bassford Remele in 2015 as an associate. Today, as a shareholder, Frank continues to be involved in several organizations, actively seeks leadership roles, and serves as a mentor. Frank received his B.A. from DePauw University. He graduated cum laude from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2010, where he received the President’s and Ciresi Scholarships. Frank was involved in many activities: Board of Advocates volunteer coordinator; Black Law Student Association Treasurer (2008-2009), Kaplan PMBR head representative, and Law School admissions ambassador. During his senior year, Frank served as a Certified Student Attorney for the Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services. In that role, Frank contacted community and program leaders for collaboration on issues facing persons of color regarding the methods used, maintenance, and procedures followed by law enforcement agencies’ use of the Minnesota Gang Databases. He researched and drafted a report regarding the evaluation of Minnesota Gang Databases and recommendations for effective change to ensure accountability, reliability, and trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. (Evaluation of Gang Databases in Minnesota & Recommendations for Change, Information and Communications Technology Journal, Vol. 19, Iss. 3 (2010)). Frank also developed community contacts, organized meetings, and participated in presenting information to community leaders to create policy change. After working in private practice for two years, Frank served as Assistant Attorney General at the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General (December 2012 to February 2015). During his tenure, he managed all aspects of the Minnesota implied consent cases, including negotiations, witness preparation, and trials on behalf of the Commissioner of Public Safety; represented the Commissioner of Human Services on issues regarding

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Bill Gaier June 6, 2019 Page 3

mental health, licensing, and health and child care; and counseled both the Minnesota Department of Human Services and Department of Public Safety on issues regarding the Minnesota Implied Consent Law, the Minnesota Private Detective Board, mental health, licensing, and health and child care. In addition, Frank presented oral arguments in state and federal court, and participated in 40 bench trials. At Bassford Remele, Frank focuses his practice in employment, professional liability, and general liability matters. In his employment practice, Frank regularly advises and represents employers in a spectrum of concerns, including discrimination and harassment complaints, non-competes and restrictive covenants, and wage and hour claims. He also represents a variety of professionals, including attorneys, physicians, nurses, and other health care providers in professional malpractice and negligence actions. In the general liability arena, he often defends clients in matters involving personal injury and premise liability claims. Frank is a member of the Bassford Remele Diversity & Inclusion and Recruiting Committees and strives to enhance the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives through training, mentoring, and recruiting efforts. He attended the Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy, a national program to promote diversity leadership in the legal profession. Frank gives back to his community and the profession:

Professional Associations Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers

o Treasurer, 2018-present

Bar Associations Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter

o Board of Directors, 2018-present o Diversity Committee

Minnesota State Bar Association o National Consortium Conference Planning Committee, Racial and

Ethnic Fairness in the Court Conference, 2017-2018

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Bill Gaier June 6, 2019 Page 4

American Bar Association o Legal Educators Committee, Vice Chair, 2014 o Pro Bono and Public Service Committee, 2014 o Diversity Committee, 2011-2015 o Awards Committee, 2011-2015 o Diversity Fellow, 2011-2012 o Workers Compensation Committee, Vice Chair, 2011-2012

Adjunct Professor University of St. Thomas School of Law

o Adjunct Professor, Employment Law, 2019-present

Mitchell Hamline School of Law/William Mitchell College of Law o Adjunct Professor, Lawyering: Advice and Persuasion, 2013-2019

Hamline University o Adjunct Professor, Department of Legal Studies, 2014-2015

Moot Court University of St. Thomas School of Law

o Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Program, 2011-present o New York City Bar National Moot Court Program, 2011

Minnesota Moot Court Competition o Competition Administrator, 2012

Law School Involvement University of St. Thomas School of Law Mentor Program

o Mentor, 2011-present

University of St. Thomas’ JD Compass Program o Career Strategist (Program to support graduates after law school),

2013-2014

University of St. Thomas Alumni Advisory Board o Director, 2012-2013

Civic Involvement Volunteer Lawyers Network

o Volunteer Attorney, 2015-2018

Children’s Law Center o Volunteer Attorney, 2012

Innocence Project o Volunteer Attorney, 2010-2011

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Bill Gaier June 6, 2019 Page 5

Attached is a copy of Frank’s biography. It is my pleasure to nominate Frank as an Up-and-Coming Attorney. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Nominator's Name*

Kelly A. Putney

Nominator's Company*

Bassford Remele, P.A.

Very truly yours,

Kelly A. Putney

for BASSFORD REMELE, A Professional Association

KAP/jln Enclosure

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100 SOUTH 5TH STREET, SUITE 1500     |     MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402‐1254     |     612.333.3000     |     BASSFORD.COM 1

Uzodima Franklin Aba-Onu SHAREHOLDER

[email protected] T 612.376.1608 F 612.746.1208

PRACTICE GROUPS Employment Litigation/Advice

General Liability

Professional Liability/

Claim Prevention

INDUSTRY GROUPS Health Care Law Firms and Lawyers

OVERVIEW

Mr. Aba-Onu is a litigator who focuses his practice in employment, professional liability, and general liability matters.

In his employment practice, Mr. Aba-Onu regularly advises and represents employers in a spectrum of concerns, including discrimination and harassment complaints, non-competes and restrictive covenants, and wage and hour claims. He also represents a variety of professionals, including attorneys, physicians, nurses, and other health care providers in professional malpractice and negligence actions. In the general liability arena, he often defends clients in matters involving personal injury and premise liability claims.

Mr. Aba-Onu graduated cum laude from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. He serves as an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law and the University of St. Thomas School of Law, having formerly served as an adjunct professor at Hamline University. Prior to joining Bassford Remele, he was an Assistant Attorney General, gaining knowledge on mental health, licensing, and other health care-related matters, as well as the Minnesota Implied Consent Law.

EDUCATION & ADMISSIONS

Education University of St. Thomas School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2010 - President’s Scholarship, 2007-2010 DePauw University, B.A., 2007

Bar Admissions • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit • U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota • Minnesota

EXPERIENCE  

Representative Cases • Part of team that successfully defended large school district against Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of

1964 and the Minnesota Human Rights Act discrimination claims, and claims of reprisal under the Minnesota Human Rights Act by obtaining an order dismissing the plaintiff’s claims.

• Part of team that successfully defended Minnesota city and its officers against 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and other state law claims by obtaining an order dismissing plaintiff’s claims.

• Part of team that successfully defended hospital, doctors, and nurses against wrongful death claim. Obtained order dismissing plaintiffs’ claims.

• Part of team that successfully defended law firm against due process, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, 42 U.S.C. §§ 241, 242, and 245, and various state law claims by obtaining an order dismissing plaintiff’s claims.

• Part of team that successfully defended law firm against FDCPA claims by obtaining an order dismissing plaintiff’s claims.

• Part of team that successfully defended lender against Fair Credit Reporting Act claims by obtaining an order dismissing plaintiff’s claims.

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Uzodima Franklin Aba-Onu SHAREHOLDER continued

Publications

• Intra-Firm Privilege Five Years Later, co-author, Professional Liability Defense Quarterly, Winter 2018

• Special Verdict Forms and Jury Instructions, co-author, Minnesota Motor Vehicle Accident Deskbook, Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, Ch. 19, 2016-2018

• Drone Regulations at Last!, co-author, Bench & Bar of Minnesota, September 2016 http://mnbenchbar.com/2016/09/drone-regulations-at-last/

• They're Coming! The Drones, That Is - And The FAA Regulations Governing Their Use, co-author, Bench & Bar of Minnesota, January 2016 https://www.bassford.com/uploads/announcements/Camarotto-Aba-Onu-Drones-2016.pdf

• Pipeline to Success: A Systematic Solution to the Diversity Gap, co-author, Diversity Insider, Vol. 7, Issue 1, 2015, Defense Research Institute http://portal.criticalimpact.com/newsletter/newslettershow5.cfm?contentonly=1&content=24183&id=2930

Seminars • Discipline & Termination Law, presenter, National Business Institute webcast, April 24, 2018

• When Are Law Firm Communications Discoverable?: Intra-Firm Privilege Five Years Later, presenter, Professional Liability Defense Federation, Ninth Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 4, 2018

• Employee Hiring, Firing and Discipline: an Essential Legal Guide, presenter, National Business Institute webcast, March 3, 2017

• Finally, Drone Regulations are Here! Part 107: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, co-presenter, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, September 27, 2016

• They’re Coming! The Drones, That Is – and the FAA Regulations Governing their Use, co-presenter, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, May 11, 2016

• Self-Marketing and Branding: Opening the Door for Diverse Attorneys to Enhance their Professional Image, presenter, American Bar Association Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division Spring Conference, May 17, 2012

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC

Bar Associations • Federal Bar Association

- Minnesota Chapter, Board of Directors, 2018-present - Minnesota Chapter, Diversity Committee

• American Bar Association - Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division - Diversity Committee - Awards Committee - Legal Educators Committee, Vice Chair, 2014 - Pro Bono and Public Service Committee, 2014 - Workers Compensation Committee, Vice Chair, 2011-2012 - Diversity Fellow, 2011-2012

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Uzodima Franklin Aba-Onu SHAREHOLDER continued

• Minnesota State Bar Association - National Consortium Conference Planning Committee, Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Court Conference, 2017-2018

• Hennepin County Bar Association

Professional Associations • Defense Research Institute • Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers

- Treasurer, 2018-present • Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association

Civic Involvement • University of St. Thomas School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Employment Law, 2019-present • Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Lawyering: Advice and Persuasion, 2013-2019 • Hamline University, Adjunct Professor, Department of Legal Studies, 2014-2015 • University of St. Thomas School of Law

- Mentor Program, Mentor, 2011-present - Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Program, 2011-present - New York City Bar National Moot Court Program, 2011 - JD Compass Program, Career Strategist, 2013-2014 - Alumni Advisory Board, Director, 2012-2013

• Minnesota Moot Court Competition - Competition Administrator, 2012

• Volunteer Lawyers Network, 2015-2018

ACCOLADES

Honors & Awards • Minnesota Rising Stars List, Super Lawyers, 2017-present